No Gronk for Week 5

As the New England Patriots try to keep up their undefeated record in Cincinnati on Sunday, they will need to do it without the help of tight end Rob Gronkowski. Reports from ESPN and NFL.com say Gronkowski did not travel with the team for the game.

Gronkowski injured his forearm last season, and has had four surgeries to repair it over the year. While he has been in practice with the Patriots, he hasn’t yet played in 2013.

The Patriots need his help. Gronkowski was one of the league’s best tight ends in 2012. With his injury and Aaron Hernandez’s legal troubles forcing him off the team, the Patriots are without the receiving threats that made the team successful in 2012.

Tom Brady has struggled with his young receivers this season. He is throwing 253 yards per game this season. The last two seasons, he averaged more than 300 yards per game. The Patriots signed oft-injured receiver Austin Collie this week to add depth to the receiving corps.